ments of joy and peace when I havelet myself be driven by the wind ofthe Spirit tell me I am on course.

But when I’m feeling dragged down
or stuck in a constraining circle, I
know I have let myself be taken by
bad currents and it is time to change
course.

SOMETIMES discernment
leads a person into
deep water—which
can be exhilarating or
frightening. Pictured here
is the author at the helm.

SAILORS on a vocation
discernment retreat
enjoy a stopover.

Enter #108 at VocationMatch.com

boat in its movement, so it can make
headway with equilibrium in the
middle of the water’s motion. The
helmsperson’s steering technique is
evident in the boat’s wake.

The good helmsperson knowshow to steer smoothly, withoutabrupt movements. She’s always alertbecause she has to anticipate. She’s intune with the crew, the environment,and the boat. The bad helmsperson,on the other hand, makes big tillermovements, causing the boat toknock into the waves.

God’s Spirit leads us to steer our
lives softly, like a good helmsperson.
It requires a lot of learning and practice. I work hard to prevent myself
from just drifting along. I try to decide on and follow a realistic course,
taking into consideration the many
variables in my life. My life leaves a
wake, and I can see from that if I’m
helming the way I should be. Mo-